Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a city at about 7,000 feet in northern Arizona, used as a base for the Grand Canyon, Sedona and dark-sky stargazing.
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Flagstaff is a city of 76,831 people in northern Arizona, sitting at about 7,000 feet (2,100 m) beside Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks. Tourism is driven mainly by the city's nearness to Grand Canyon National Park, roughly 75 to 80 miles north. Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon lie to the south along U.S. Route 89A. Downtown's historic buildings are made of red sandstone quarried near town, and Route 66 ran through the city after 1926. Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill is a major astronomy site, and Flagstaff was designated the world's first International Dark Sky City on 24 October 2001.
Winter brings snow sports at Arizona Snowbowl, on the southwest face of the San Francisco Peaks. Late spring is typically dry until early June, and the fall color change runs from late September through October. Summer brings monsoon thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon, in July and August. Phoenix is about 146 miles south on Interstate 17 if you want cooler air than the desert. Allow two or three days to cover the Canyon, Sedona and an observatory visit without rushing.
Flagstaff in five
- Use Flagstaff as a South Rim baseThe South Rim is about 80 miles and 1.5 hours away. Flagstaff has more hotels and restaurants than the park, so it suits visitors who want choice and a town to return to.Grand Canyon South Rim
- Add the $100 fee to your Canyon dayNon-US residents 16 and over pay $100 each at Grand Canyon on top of the vehicle fee. If your route adds two or more listed parks, price the $250 annual pass.The nonresident fee
- Plan for altitude, sun and cold nightsAt about 7,000 feet, afternoon storms in July and August, strong sun and cool nights are normal. Carry layers and water, and go slowly on your first day if you flew in from sea level.
- Book Lowell Observatory aheadFlagstaff was the first International Dark Sky City, and Lowell Observatory runs public programs. Hours and ticketing change by season, so check the observatory's site and book weekends early.
- Fly to Phoenix, not FlagstaffPhoenix Sky Harbor has far more flights than Flagstaff's small airport, and the drive north is about 2 hours. Amtrak's Southwest Chief also stops in Flagstaff.Greater Phoenix
Things to do in Flagstaff
See all attractions in Flagstaff
Need to know
- Airport
- Flagstaff Pulliam (FLG); Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) about 2 hours
- Getting there
- Drive from Phoenix about 2 hours; Amtrak Southwest Chief
- Getting around
- Car; Mountain Line buses in town
- Best base
- Downtown and the Route 66 corridor
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 nights; 3 with Sedona and the Canyon
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear7 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-5°Snow, ski seasonJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski season
- FebruaryClear6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low-4°Snow, coldFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, cold
- MarchClear9 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh9°Low-1°Spring stormsMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring storms
- AprilClear5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh16°Low3°Mild, windyAprilClear
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low7°Dry, warmMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low13°Dry, sunnyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Monsoon stormsJulyPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon storms
- AugustRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low15°Monsoon stormsAugustRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon storms
- SeptemberClear7 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low12°Mild, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Mild, clear
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Aspen colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Aspen color
- NovemberClear3 rainy days1 snowy day1 day with stormsHigh11°Low1°Cold, quietNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 1
Cold, quiet
- DecemberClear6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low-2°Snow, holidaysDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, holidays
Average daily high and low in Flagstaff, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Flagstaff
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- 0°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
Flagstaff
12:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today8°1°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Wed11°2°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu11°1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri11°2°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat12°2°1%Saturday: Clear. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sun13°4°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 10:00 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Grand Canyon South Rimabout 1.5 hours by carMather Point and the rim shuttles. Add the $100 nonresident fee per person.Read the guide
- Sedonaabout 45 minutes by carRed rocks and trailheads through Oak Creek Canyon. Weekends are busy.Read the guide
- Monument Valleyabout 2.5 hours by carA long day; better as an overnight if you want sunrise or sunset.Read the guide
Before you go to Flagstaff
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Rules for Flagstaff, checked
- Visa Waiver travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
- Flagstaff's dark sky rules outlaw large or powerful searchlights within city limits.
- NAU's campus is tobacco-free and weapon-free, and alcohol may not be consumed in public on campus.
- Call 911 in an emergency. On the NAU campus, over 160 blue light phones connect directly to NAU PD.
Plan around Flagstaff
Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip
Read the guideGrand Canyon South RimThe rim, shuttles and where to sleep
Read the guideGrand Canyon National ParkThe wider park guide, North Rim included
Read the guideGreater PhoenixThe desert metro and the usual flight in
Read the guide$100 national parks feeWhich parks charge non-US residents and the $250 pass
Read the guideGetting around the USAFlights, trains, buses and rental cars compared
Read the guideFlagstaff FAQ
Is Flagstaff worth visiting?
Yes, as a base for the Grand Canyon, Sedona and nearby volcanic sites, with a walkable downtown and cooler summers than Phoenix. It is less of a stand-alone destination, so one or two nights is typical.
How far is Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon?
About 80 miles to the South Rim, roughly 1.5 hours by car. The drive passes pine forest and is open all year, though winter storms can slow it. The North Rim is much farther.
Should I stay in Flagstaff, Williams or Tusayan?
Flagstaff for dining and choice, Williams for a small Route 66 town and the Grand Canyon Railway, and Tusayan for the shortest drive to the south entrance. Rooms inside the park need booking months ahead.
Do you need a car in Flagstaff?
For the Canyon, Sedona and most trails, yes. Downtown is walkable and Mountain Line buses cover the town. Amtrak arrives at the station downtown, so you can reach Flagstaff without a car but not move beyond it.
Does Flagstaff get snow?
Yes, heavy at times. Winter brings snow and a ski season, and roads to the Canyon can need chains or close briefly. Spring storms and cold nights are common too, so pack layers year-round.